— A clearer picture of the Philadelphia Eagles' opening-day roster emerged for many positions during Thursday night's 37-7 demolition of the New York Jets in the preseason finale for both teams.

At running back, it might have been by default.

With regulars LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles having been placed in bubble wrap until the regular-season opener and backup Chris Polk unable to go because of a hamstring injury, it meant the entire workload would be handled by Matthew Tucker, Henry Josey and the recently acquired Kenjon Barner.

The only problem was that Tucker (shoulder) and Barner (ankle) were knocked out of the contest for good before halftime, leaving the game in the hands of Henry Josey, who entered training camp as the longest of long shots but now almost has to be kept on the roster, at least to start the season. And Damaris Johnson had to move over from receiver for the second time in three weeks to help out.

All three running backs were very strong before the injuries — Tucker carrying six times for 39 yards, Barner five times for 21 yards and Josey eight times for 57 yards before intermission.

Fans and cheerleaders for the Philadelphia Eagles playing against the New York Jets at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Thursday. (MICHAEL KUBEL / THE MORNING CALL)

Josey continued his strong play afterward, adding 38 more yards in the third quarter. Then Johnson exploded for a 46-yard gallop in the fourth after contributing a 32-yard punt return.

In the end, Johnson had 140 all-purpose yards, Matt Barkley had passed for 253 yards and Josey had run for a game-high 121 yards on 22 attempts.

"Whatever they need from me, I go in and do," Johnson said, "and I think I took advantage of my opportunities tonight. … I don't really go into a game thinking, 'Oh, I've got to go out and prove something to anybody,' because I'm my hardest critic."

As for the game itself, the Eagles had many more reasons to be encouraged as they get ready to open their season at home Sept. 7 against Jacksonville.

Barkley, the third-teamer displayed poise after an early interception spoiled his second series. And his backup, G.J. Kinne, displayed excellent athleticism before firing a perfect touchdown pass to Trey Burton while directing a fourth-quarter scoring drive.

Although Burton probably won't find a spot on the Eagles' roster, he almost certainly guaranteed by his play throughout the preseason that he'll find work elsewhere, after teams around the NFL trim their rosters to 53 players by 4 p.m. Saturday.

Among those also making a compelling case for employment here or elsewhere were defensive lineman Brandon Bair (sack, fumble recovery), defensive end Taylor Hart (team-high five tackles, forced fumble), and linebacker Travis Long (sack).

Jets coach Rex Ryan provided a surprise twist to start the game, inserting former Eagles quarterback Michael Vick to start, as expected, but then pulling him after just one play in an obvious effort to have him get recognition by Eagles fans who had watched him here for the previous five seasons.

Vick was moved by the reception.

"Very classy," he said. "You never know what to expect when you're the opposition. It was very warm."

Barkley drove the Eagles to the Jets' 9-yard line on his second series before a weak pass aimed for Quron Pratt was intercepted in the end zone.

Undaunted, he led them right back down the field for a touchdown on his next series, finishing the 74-yard march with a 43-yard strike to Arrelious Benn down the right sideline. Benn finished the preseason with just three receptions, but his special-teams play might give him an edge for the final receiver spot.

"I don't look at it like that," Benn said. "I just come here to play football. Every guy in here busts their butt. It sucks that the business is the way it is, but it is what it is. All you can do is just go out there and play football and have fun with it and just be thankful for the opportunity."

In the second quarter, it was recently acquired kicker Cody Parkey who emerged as a clear and present danger to incumbent Alex Henery's job.

A rookie from Auburn, Parkey kicked a 54-yard field goal with under two minutes remaining and added a 25-yarder as time expired, sending the Eagles to the break with a 13-0 lead.

In the third quarter, he made an even stronger case, nailing another attempt from 53 yards right after the Eagles' defense surrendered its only score.

Then Barkley and Kinne took complete control.

Barkley took the team 80 yards on 15 plays, capping it with a 7-yard improvised scramble for a touchdown after the right side opened up.

After a 14-yard punt return by Johnson set the Eagles up near midfield for their next series, it took Kinne only five plays to get them to the end zone. He ran for 16 yards on two plays before delivering a 21-yard strike to Burton.

Johnson's 46-yard burst as an emergency fill-in at running back made it 37-7 with 5:30 to play, helping send the Eagles to the regular season with some momentum — and some tough decisions before they get there.

"We're not making any cuts right now," Eagles coach Chip Kelly said. "We'll go back and look at the tape and we'll sit down as a staff tomorrow and Saturday and make final decisions at every position."